I am into my project about 4 and a half years. The fuselage recently left my garage for its spacious hangar at Livermore Airport. I shall miss stepping on tiny rivets when I go out in the garage in my bare feet to get my underwear out of the dryer. Then of course, there is being awoken in the night by the sound of the compressor you foolishly forgot to unplug. The wings are still at home, one on the pool table, one in its rack in the garage. For some strange reason ( or blind eye) I considered that my worst expenses were behind me ( kinda like my last three wives). However I was so wrong.
I eagerly downloaded the appropriate forms from Vans for my 0-360 and prop knowing that there could be a delay of several months before the components arrived. Then I totted up my basic glass cockpit. Ouch.......
Well I do not have the cash ( kinda like Lehman Brothers) and my IRA is but a shadow of its former self, as is my hairline, but I have resources i.e. line of credit, credit cards etc. and I cannot stop now. But how to rationalize......
First, convince my supportive wife ( yes, number 4) that it's just like having a new car payment. I will keep my 1995 E-150 van ( ergonomically designed and fuel frugal) and instead of replacing it, I will use the potentially freed-up money to repay the money I need to get my RV7 in the air. She already has a decent car. I will call the aircraft " The Other Woman" and add some nice WW2 clip art of a curvaceous version of my wife on the nose ( I have a sign shop!). She liked that a lot.
Secondly, convince myself........ Well, I still have the forms from Vans in hand. The drool on them has dried. They are a little creased now but not as intimidating as they were and at least I do not have to deal with a pushy car salesman taking my money. Also, if you put your thumb over the last zero when you tally your numbers for the umpteenth time, it's not that bad!
Thirdly, sometimes you gotta make sacrifices. No more divorces, reduce consumption of wine, work longer hours, but most important in this time of great economic strife, we need to support our economy by investing in it! So **** the torpedoes, full steam ahead........well maybe after I have done my taxes......
Good luck to all
Tim Bennett
I eagerly downloaded the appropriate forms from Vans for my 0-360 and prop knowing that there could be a delay of several months before the components arrived. Then I totted up my basic glass cockpit. Ouch.......
Well I do not have the cash ( kinda like Lehman Brothers) and my IRA is but a shadow of its former self, as is my hairline, but I have resources i.e. line of credit, credit cards etc. and I cannot stop now. But how to rationalize......
First, convince my supportive wife ( yes, number 4) that it's just like having a new car payment. I will keep my 1995 E-150 van ( ergonomically designed and fuel frugal) and instead of replacing it, I will use the potentially freed-up money to repay the money I need to get my RV7 in the air. She already has a decent car. I will call the aircraft " The Other Woman" and add some nice WW2 clip art of a curvaceous version of my wife on the nose ( I have a sign shop!). She liked that a lot.
Secondly, convince myself........ Well, I still have the forms from Vans in hand. The drool on them has dried. They are a little creased now but not as intimidating as they were and at least I do not have to deal with a pushy car salesman taking my money. Also, if you put your thumb over the last zero when you tally your numbers for the umpteenth time, it's not that bad!
Thirdly, sometimes you gotta make sacrifices. No more divorces, reduce consumption of wine, work longer hours, but most important in this time of great economic strife, we need to support our economy by investing in it! So **** the torpedoes, full steam ahead........well maybe after I have done my taxes......
Good luck to all
Tim Bennett
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